What a pleasant change to go into Kroger's today and find that technology was brought to its knees!
Years ago I remember reading about new technology grocery stores were trying to eventually eliminate the need for human interaction at the registers. We now know these as U-Scan robots.
Not only do I detest them, but I question how proficient they are in the first place. All they have done is replace the express lane at the checkout. What about the people with 40-50 items in their cart? My first impression was that these machines would speed up the aisles and result in fewer rushed, angry shoppers. All it has done is duplicated what the manned express lines were doing.
So nine times out of ten, I am forced to tangle with these machines. And I mean tangle. I was once asked out of Kroger because I blew up at an inanimate object. "Please proceed!" "Please wait!" "Please re-scan!" I wasn't going to let it be that nice & proper to me and let it get away with it! Since then, me and U-Scans have become much of a running joke around the house.
But - technology has its shortcomings, and it was a delight to see today: the entire row of four U-Scan robots totally down, replaced by... get this... cashiers. It was the first time in nearly two years that I saw six checkout lanes open at once. I did remark to the cashier that I was thrilled to see this; she gave me one of those "whatever" laughs.
Let's see, though: they told me the machines would be down until tomorrow (Thursday). Between now and then, and being a 24-hour store, how can these cashiers stand the extra hours and the extra (egad) work? Have they been sufficiently trained?
Pardon my cynicism, of course. Just a small by-product of a victory for humankind and a temporary setback for robotics - truly made my day.
